Why Shanty Town Does Not Deserve Its Hype— From a Critical Lens

February 21, 2023 jowellapollo Leave a comment

January 20th, 2023 saw the release of the first season of the Nigerian crime TV series Shanty Town. The Netflix show was created by Xavier Ighorodje and Chichi Nworah, directed by Dimeji Ajibola, and produced by Ini Edo and Chichi Nworah. With six episodes, the first season featured several Nollywood stars, including Chidi Mokeme, Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), Ini Edo, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Nancy Isime, and Sola Sobowale.

The show was greeted with applause and social media fad mostly by people who were impressed with its free display of nudity (yeah, obviously, these individuals subscribed for Netflix, but I termed the nudity “free” because they most likely didn’t pay the subscription fee with the specific nude scenes in mind). Also, regular Nollywood movie lovers were over-excited to see the latest Nollywood show on Netflix (as of then). However, when I sat down to watch the series with an objective mind, I realized there was nothing really spectacular about it. In fact, it was relatively poor. I’ll extensively cite my reasons in the next section.

5 Reasons Shanty Town Is Not as Good as You Think

Here are some shortcomings in the first season of Shanty Town:

1. Shallow Plot

Shanty Town’s core story tries to portray a thrilling and eye-catching connection between the local crime in a slum and the criminal activities of its elite sponsors. The plot heavily depends on violence and features several criminal elements, such as illegal prostitution, drug trafficking, the use of hard drugs, homicides, trafficking of human parts, corrupt politicians, and so on. Naturally, you’d expect a show with these footing and themes to have a rich plot. Still, that’s not the case with Shanty Town. The plot is relatively basic and the show relies more on its visual presentation of violence, crime, and nudity/eroticism.

The chief antagonist of the first season, Chief DaCosta Fernández (Richard Mofe-Damijo), is depicted as a very powerful and aristocratic criminal who intends to occupy the political seat of the Governor of Lagos. This theme of big-time criminals showing interest in politics is quite common in crime shows, just like Russell “Stringer” Bell in The Wire and James “Ghost” St. Patrick in Power. However, the show doesn’t tell us much about Chief Fernández’s rise on the crime ladder and enough of his backstory. Personally, I’d have loved to know why a Nigerian from the Western Part of the country (Yorubaland) would bear both a Portuguese (or Brazilian) first name and last name.

Similarly, the kingpin of Shanty Town (the crime slum), Aboderin “Scar” (Chidi Mokeme), had no proper backstory. The show didn’t give the viewers a chance to know him deeply. We knew almost nothing about how the prostitutes came to Shanty Town, except for Shalewa (Nancy Isime), who her father brought to the Shanty Town. Still, we don’t know much about the transaction or the incident that led to it. What about the show’s portrayal of drug trafficking? Apart from the drug production and packaging scene in the first episode, we weren’t given much to talk over on the drug trade. How did they distribute the illegal substance to other parts of Lagos? Who were their connections and channels? How did they manage to pull off such a major crime?

2. Generally Poor Acting

Richard Mofe-Damijo, Sola Sobowale, and Chidi Mokeme (from left to right)

Although the first season of Shanty Town featured many prominent movie stars, the general acting in the show left a lot to be desired. This brings the proficiency of the show’s director into question. Most of the actors in the series couldn’t excellently portray the emotional aspect of their characters, properly illustrate the stories of their characters to the viewers, and take their characters off the shores of television. Not even RMD, Ini Edo, Nancy Isime, and Sola Sobowale could nail their roles. I wouldn’t want to go into detail about Shafy Bello’s nerve-racking acting. What childish badassery was that? (shakes my head).

On the contrary, Chidi Mokeme deserves credit for trying his best to sync with his character (even though I could argue that he could’ve done more). I was also awed by the fact that he spoke three different languages (Nigerian Pidgin English, Igbo, and Yoruba) fluently in the show. Nse Ikpe-Etim wasn’t bad either, but her performance wasn’t the best.

3. Inem’s Perplexing Role in the Story

Inem/Amanda (Ini Edo) was undoubtedly the most confusing character in Shanty Town. I mean, what exactly was her story? Was she an undercover police officer or an ex-convicted drug peddler and prostitute? For how long has she been an undercover police officer? Was she ever a criminal, if not, why would she fit too perfectly into the Shanty Town criminal establishment? What is the revenge-for-her-sister saga all about? Why does she seem to hold so much power in the police force and prostitution ring? These are questions with either unclear or flawed answers. At one point or the other in the show, the viewers must have gotten lost trying to figure out who she really was or is. This proves that the Inem/Amanda character and story were poorly written.

4. The Governor’s Presence in Crime Scenes

Why would the sitting Governor of Lagos State, Dame Dabota (Shafy Bello), directly meet with the kingpin of a crime slum? Didn’t she have people that could help her do her dirty jobs and criminal dealings? That’s not even the worst part. The same Governor was present at a kidnap and multiple homicides spot and was seen leaving the crime scene by police officers. Yet, the cops let her leave without batting an eyelid or thinking something was wrong like it was normal for a sitting Governor to be in such a place.

5. Redundant and Out-of-Place Action Scenes

It seems the director forgot that Shanty Town was a crime series and not an action movie in the last episode of the show’s first season. That would explain the unnecessary and prolonged action scenes in that particular episode, which were reminiscent of Den of Thieves, Commando 2: The Black Money Trail, and some Jackie Chan classics at the same time (of course, not in the quality, but in the idea). Regardless of the efforts, the action scenes were out-of-place. Furthermore, what in the name of motion pictures was the director thinking when he made Chief Fernández magically block (or catch) a bullet and redirect it to the shooter with his hand? That’s incredible in a bad way.

Bottom Line

Note that I’m not using this medium to condemn the show or the efforts of the crew and cast. However, I chose to point out the drawbacks of the first season, hoping similar mistakes won’t be made in the subsequent seasons (if any).

Movies

Black Panther (Wakanda Forever) 2023: A success or Not

February 17, 2023 Watchmantis Leave a comment

Marvel’s Black Panther films have broken records and redefined the face of superhero cinema from the outset. Now, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has broken yet another big barrier in the field of female-led films. According to the most recent box office figures, the MCU film has surpassed Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman, and Black Widow to become the most grossing female-led superhero film in the United States.

Today, let’s discuss the financial smashes and hits of the blockbuster Wakanda Forever, which is still making its rounds on Box Offices across the globe. Stick around.

In other conditions, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever might not have been in contention for a new record. Following the death of Chadwick Boseman, the script for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever had to be drastically altered in order to reflect the deaths of both the actor and his on-screen character, T’Challa. This included the Black Panther sequel removing its male lead and replacing him with Letitia Wright’s Shuri, who features as the film’s key character with Angela Bassett, Danai Gurira, and Lupita Nyong’o. Because of this alteration, the film’s success has seen it smash a record that it would not have been in contention to challenge under other conditions.

According to the most recent data from Box Office Mojo, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s domestic gross was $431.5 million, just enough to surpass Captain Marvel’s $426.8 million and reshuffle Wonder Woman ($412.8 million) and Black Widow (a pandemic affected $183.65 million), who came in second and third, respectively. Although it is unlikely that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will surpass Captain Marvel’s pre-pandemic global box office total, the achievement at the box office is still something to be proud of because of the many factors that went into it, including post-covid audience volumes and certain countries’ refusal to release the film.

Ryan Coogler wants the Black Panther franchise to last for a very long time.

Yes, Ryan Coogler has been the main inspiration behind the MCU’s Black Panther films. Despite the difficulties the year’s sequel experienced, which were made worse by the Covid pandemic delays and Chadwick Boseman’s passing, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has emerged as a stunning success. Director Ryan Coogler would therefore dearly love to be able to carry on the Black Panther story for as long as he is able to. Recently, he stated:

“I feel blessed that I have the opportunity to work on these movies, bro. When I got asked to do the first one, it was like a moving train. I thank God every day that I was able to jump on it and meet these people, these actors, and to meet Chadwick during some of the last years of his life. I’ll do it as long as folks will have me. But I think it’s bigger than just me or Joe. Between the first and second movie, we made $2 billion at the box office, which is what matters the most to corporations. So I hope that it continues, man. I hope people are still making movies about Wakanda long after we’re gone.”

Let’s see how well the movie has done in Africa.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is currently still in theaters around the world, and will be added to the MCU archive this 2023. The sequel to Ryan Coogler’s 2018 blockbuster “Black Panther” has drawn moviegoers, enthralling crowds in Nigeria and other West African nations. The fact that “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” broke box office records is evidence that the film industry in West Africa is not only alive but also healthy and booming . Wakanda Forever has received spiffing reviews from critics in the area for to its captivating plot, fantastic visual effects, and excellent cast. There are bigger things coming, and this is just the beginning. The performance of the movie, according to Christine Service, Senior Vice President and General Manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa, demonstrates the strength of narrative and the lasting popularity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

“We can’t wait to bring even more exciting and memorable films to audiences in West Africa and around the world”, she said.

Now Let’s see how well the movie has done across Asian cultures.

Marvel films have historically performed incredibly well in China, with “Black Panther” (2018) earning $105 million there and “Ant-Man and the Wasp” earning $121 million. With great excitement, Black Panther passed the $1 billion mark worldwide. The movie’s success demonstrated that, despite some skepticism, a black-centered film can not only travel but dominate in the international market. It was bolstered by a strong opening in South Korea, where it reigned as number one at the Box Office, as well as its leap to the top of the Chinese Box Office. Its popularity in the Asian market, however, represented much more than just sales figures, as many people noted, since it also served to forward a more complex narrative about blackness.

Nevertheless, as demonstrated by K Pop’s cultural pre-existent appropriation issue and Koreans’ clear ignorance of what is and is not offensive, a handful of films won’t be able to undo decades of unfavorable reviews overnight. Even the box office success of Black Panther in China was hampered by the overwhelmingly bleak and openly racist comments about the film that were posted on Chinese social media.

TV Shows

Alchemy of Souls: Top 10 Characters

February 15, 2023 Watchmantis Leave a comment

Alchemy of Souls is one of the most interesting Korean dramas of 2022. The two seasons K-drama is one you should not skip watching. The series, which keeps disclosing a new secret every time, has consistently enthralled viewers throughout each episode. The narrative has done an exceptional job of integrating the characters’ stories and putting out their nature. This allows for a more enjoyable viewing experience. The drama has most certainly made viewers swoon with the characters. Find out the top 10 interesting characters in Alchemy of Souls.

The Top 10 Characters in Alchemy of Souls

The following is a list of our top 10 favorite characters in the K-drama.

Mu-deok

The charming, powerful, and adaptable character is aware of how to behave in every circumstance that may arise. She is a combination of two powerful personalities, namely, Naksu and Jin Bu-Yeon. This character is destined to be overpowered because the two females share an adversary. This character has the potential to become even more extraordinary as Naksu’s magic and Jin Bu-Yeon’s divine powers combine.

Jang Uk

This young master has a troubled history and a mysterious birth. Since he is a noble figure who is willing to offer all for love, Jang Uk is without a doubt one of the best male leads. While the world continues to wound him, he is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring its survival. He has no choice but to put himself in harm’s way to save it from complete anarchy. Hence, he will do so even if it means risking his life. To give you an idea of how good his heart is, consider the fact that he was able to win over the assassin Naksu.

Seo Yul

One of the powerful mages, Seo Yul, is the eldest son of the current generation of the Seo family. Yul is also a genius, and he has mastered numerous spells long before his contemporaries. His stern demeanor gives the impression that he is a fierce competitor, however, he has a more compassionate side. Seo Yul recognizes the obligation placed on him to use that authority for the benefit of others and acts accordingly. He has known Jang Uk and Park Dang Gu since they were children.

Park Dang Gu

The nephew of Park Jin and the next leader of Songrim, Park Dang Gu, is a highly well-dressed individual. In contrast to Seo Yul, he maintains a laid-back and childlike demeanor despite his considerable magical prowess. Even though Dang Gu had feelings for Jin Cho Yeon since they were young, they didn’t get romantically involved until much later. Dang Gu is an optimistic person, and this trait has served him well throughout his life.

Cho Yeon

Fans of Cho Yeon are entirely smitten with the Jin priestess in Alchemy of Souls. She is the youngest daughter of Lady Jin and is shown to be cheerful. She is intended to marry Jang Uk. But as her story progresses, she meets Dang-gu, and they end up being engaged to each other. After three years, Cho-yeon has transformed and severed her ties with Dang Gu. However, she later rekindled her love relationship with Dang Gu.

Park Jin

The individual takes on the role of a father figure for Jang Uk while maintaining the position of the leader of Songrim. He has good intentions and wants to make things easier for Jang Uk. However, Jang Uk being so defiant makes things more difficult for him. This charismatic leader radiates it in these kinds of circumstances. The fact that he acts childish in front of Kim Do-jun adds to it. He has no idea what he’s doing when it comes to romance, and he’s having a hard time winning over Kim Do-ju.

Crown Prince

Portraying the character Prince Go Won has gotten much attention from Crown Prince fans. In contrast to the princes in previous Korean dramas, he is level-headed and uninterested in power. During the first season, he is brought on as an ally to Jang Uk. But in the second season of Alchemy of Souls, when Jang Uk poses a threat, Go Won ducks behind Jin Mu for cover. He becomes a frenemy of Jang Uk. Go Won, however, does have a few surprises up his sleeve.

Jin Mu

This individual is the Alchemy of Souls character that viewers detest the most. There must always be a villain in a fantasy K-drama for the audience to root against. Jo Jae-Yun, a member of the cast of Alchemy of Souls, is the one who performs the part of Jin Mu, the Cheonbugwan Gwanju. He is to blame for Naksu’s past and the road that led her to become a murderous assassin. In addition, Jin Mu is to blame for the tragic events that transpired at the end of the first season of Alchemy of Souls. He maintained his devious schemes throughout the second season and met his demise in the second season.

Lady Jin

Priestess Lady Jin is at the helm of one of the most powerful households in Daeho. She is unlike the other magicians because she is a descendant of Seol-ran. She and her daughters are in charge of safeguarding the sacred artifacts that belong to Daeho. Her quest to locate her long-lost daughter, Bu-Yeon, was the primary focus of the drama’s first season. In the second season of Alchemy of Souls, she finds out the truth about her daughter. She searches for a means to bring back a piece of her, no matter the price.

Maidservant Kim

She is the person who plays the part of Jang Uk’s maidservant. Since his birth was complicated and his father was never found, she has brought him up as if he were her child. Maidservant Kim’s generous nature won fans over. This trait is more on display in Alchemy of Souls Season 2 as she guides Jang Uk in the ways of love with his fiancee. She finds love with Lord Park in the second season.

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What To Expect From Universal Studios’ Oppenheimer

February 13, 2023 Watchmantis Leave a comment

Attention all Nolanites, it’s time to get ready for a ride of a lifetime! Universal Studios is bringing you “Oppenheimer,” a mind-boggling movie directed by the one and only Christopher Nolan, who some might say is the greatest movie director of our time.

“Oppenheimer,” a story that will transport you to the 1940s and show you renowned theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, played by the truly talented Cillian Murphy, was inspired by the highly regarded book “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer” by Martin J. Sherwin and Kai Bird.

It’s a story to witness the journey of a genius who was the mastermind behind the Los Alamos Laboratory during the Manhattan Project and made a massive impact on the world with his contributions to the creation of nuclear weapons.

Mark your calendars, folks, because “Oppenheimer” is set to blow your mind on July 2023, and the trailers have already got us on the edge of our seats!

It’s time you get ready for a star-studded explosion of talent, folks! “Oppenheimer” is about to shake up the movie world with its all-star cast. Leading the pack is none other than the brooding and brilliant Cillian Murphy, who’s no stranger to working with Christopher Nolan, as seen in the blockbuster hits “The Dark Knight” and “Inception.”

Cillian Murphy is about to set the screen on fire with his captivating performance as J. Robert Oppenheimer, and we can’t wait to see him bring his signature intensity to the role. After all, art is indeed a bang, and with Cillian Murphy on board, we’re in for one explosive performance!

But wait, there’s more! “Oppenheimer” has assembled an all-star cast of A-listers, including Emily Blunt as Katherine Oppenheimer, Matt Damon as Leslie Groves, Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark, Sherlock Holmes etc) as Lewis Strauss, and Florence Pugh (our darling) as Jean Tatlock.

There’s also some of the biggest names in Hollywood and they’ll bring their A-game to this thought-provoking film. With a cast this impressive, you better grab your shades, because the on-screen talent is going to be brighter than a summer day.

We’ve got Casey Affleck, Jack Quaid, Benny Safdie, Gary Oldman, Rami Malek, and many more.

If you want to get your minds blown (not in a sci-fi time-manipulating kind of way, but in a more real-life kind of way), Oppenheimer’s the one to see. Christopher Nolan’s new movie on the horizon is making waves before it’s even hit the screens. It’s probably his most important movie since his “The Dark Knight” roamed the streets. And why, you may ask, is this movie so important? Well, let me tell you.

It’s been a while since Nolan has been with Warner Bros and the world has been eagerly awaiting his next move since Tenet. Tenet, you may remember, was the movie that had everyone scratching their heads and trying to untangle the mysteries of time. And despite the pandemic putting a damper on things, Nolan was determined to release his masterpiece in theaters.

Well, he was criticized for his decision to release it in theaters instead of on streaming platforms, but that didn’t stop the movie from receiving praise for its stunning visual effects, jaw-dropping action sequences, and fantastic cast performances. However, Tenet was also criticized for its confusing plot. Many folks like me found it hard understanding it at first. You could say that makes it Nolan’s most divisive work yet.

Now, Oppenheimer is here to take center stage. Based on a true story and featuring real-life characters, this movie is set to be more straightforward than most of Nolan’s works. But don’t let that fool you, there will be twists and turns aplenty (because it’s a Nolan movie, after all).

This movie has the potential to be both a summer blockbuster and really wouldn’t be surprised if it won an Oscar with its big production, exciting story, and star-studded cast.

Unlike Tenet, Oppenheimer is ready to make its mark and leave a lasting impression.

I’d say you buckle up and get ready for a wild ride with Oppenheimer. Who knows, while you’re at it, you might even pick up a few historical facts. Are you anticipating it too? Let’s hear it in the comments. Hands in the air if you wanna see Tommy Shelby and Tony Stark do their thing.

TV Shows

The Fall Of Female Superheroes in the MCU

February 7, 2023 Watchmantis Leave a comment

Over the years, Marvel Comics’ incredible superheroes have been brought to life in movies ever since the MCU debuted. Although there have been many strong, independent women over the years, they have rarely had leading roles. Rather, they are frequently cast as supporting characters or the love interest.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has evolved to include a mixed range of characters, along with a steadily rising number of female superheroes, although the early films in the MCU had a largely male cast of superheroes. The steadily increasing inclusion of women in this next stage of the MCU is remarkable. In addition, female characters in general are given more opportunities to showcase their talents and potent powers.

Marvel women were praised and highlighted in a notable number of movies and television shows that were released in 2021. Some well-known characters, including Wanda Maximoff and Natasha Romanoff made a good comeback for female MCU superheroes. But unfortunately, the most recent MCU superhero movies with female leads only seem to be a shadow of their former self. With the introduction of movies like She-hulk and Ms. Marvel, we might be experiencing the rise and fall of MCU female superheroes.

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In 2021, Black Widow and Maria Hill both appeared in the first Avengers movie, however, they mostly played supporting male characters. Similar to Tony Stark’s assistant in Iron Man 2, Pepper Potts was depicted as Tony Stark’s romantic lead rather than being a fully realized character in her own right.

This is a development for diversification and inclusion in the MCU. Even while the MCU’s representation has improved, there are still issues with the way female characters are portrayed. The requirement for more depth and complexity in female characters’ characterizations is one of the major problems with developing female characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Carol Danvers’ motivations and past were only loosely depicted in the original Captain Marvel movie, making it difficult for fans to relate to her on an emotional level. Black Widow’s past and goals were also alluded to in Avengers: Age of Ultron but never fully explained, leaving viewers with more questions than answers.

MJ’s character growth in Spider-Man: No Way Home is overshadowed by her bond with Peter Parker. Additionally, She-Hulk, a recent addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has drawn criticism for how she is portrayed in the Disney+ series.

The incorporation of Daredevil and the legal procedural aspects of the show have received praise. She-Hulk is portrayed as a shallow and superficial heroine who is more preoccupied with her personal beauty and sexual relationships than with her legal work or her duties as a superhero, according to some critics.

This shows how female characters, particularly in the MCU, are not presented in a powerful way. This is a perfect illustration of the need for a more accurate portrayal of nuanced, multifaceted female characters in the MCU.

Movie critics have occasionally criticized the Marvel Cinematic Universe for failing to give female characters enough screen time and agency. Although Okoye is a powerful combatant, she barely appears in Avengers: Endgame and has a little role in the last battle.

People have argued that since men predominate in the superhero genre, many female fans feel excluded and powerless to challenge gender norms because women aren’t considered the intended audience.

It appears that these male-centric genres will begin to alienate female fans and fall short of their artistic and financial capacity without more and better film and comic female superheroes telling women’s tales.

In response to criticism of its female characters, Marvel’s president stated that the company has always gone for the powerful female superhero and cited the recent debut of She-Hulk and Ms. Marvel, two female-led superhero movies and TV shows.

The issue is that it’s challenging to satisfy everyone. Marvel has experienced pushback from ardent male fans who believe the studio’s approach is being driven by a feminist agenda. For instance, Captain Marvel from 2019 was promoted as adding feminism to the Marvel universe, but negative reviews and low viewership were partly attributed to political correctness and a story centered on the female agency.

Currently, Marvel is making an effort to include more feminist characters. In order to establish them as outstanding characters, they need to do much more than simply enhance them. Hopefully, we get to see a new generation of female MCU superheroes take the lead.

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Why The Wire is One of the Best Crime TV Series Ever Made

February 7, 2023 jowellapollo Leave a comment

The Wire is an American crime drama TV show created by David Simon and broadcast by HBO. The series, which featured 5 seasons and 60 episodes, premiered in 2002 and ended in 2008. Although the Baltimore-centered show wasn’t given the appreciation it deserved when it was originally released, it is now regarded by many television critics as one of the greatest TV shows ever made. In this article, we’ll discuss why The Wire deserves a permanent place among the best crime series ever made.

5 Reasons The Wire is One of the Greatest Crime TV Shows of All Time

Here are 5 reasons The Wire is one of the best crime series to grace television:

1. Rich Plot

The Wire presents a well-conceived, entertaining, and largely unpredictable crime plot loosely based on true events. It features several literary societal themes and portrays urban life and the affairs of criminals and law enforcers in Baltimore, Maryland. As reflected in the show’s name, the employment of electronic surveillance and wiretap technologies is a recurrent theme in the series.

For the most part, particularly in the first three seasons, the show is centered on the Barksdale crime family/organization and the members of the Baltimore Police Department, who investigate their criminal activities using wiretaps and other means. The show also incorporates other intriguing subplots, such as the life of the Sobotkas, a Polish-American family of port workers associated with unlawful smuggling, and the Hamsterdam project– a social experiment involving the legalization of drugs in a monitored space to reduce the rate of homicides. Generally, the show dishes out an immensely enjoyable plot that makes you anxious to see the next episode.

2. Illuminating Portrayal of the Life and Activities of Police Officers and Lawyers

Suppose you want to learn about the US police or you’re interested in knowing what to expect if you become a police officer. In these circumstances, The Wire is your best bet at finding the answers to your questions without reading them up in a book. Although The Wire focuses on the Homicide and Narcotics units of the Baltimore Police Department, these two units are enough for you to peer into the life and activities of cops.

The show characterizes different shades of police officers. You get to see an overzealous, broken cop in the character Jimmy McNulty, a lesbian cop with a relationship crisis in Kima Greggs, an intelligent and decent policeman in Lester Freamon, loyal policemen in Bunk and Carver, a clumsy, protected cop in Roland Pryzbylewski, a middle-aged policeman with the desire to make a change before he retires in Bunny Colvin, a police lieutenant determined to do what he thinks is right in Cedric Daniels, and even a cop that uses drugs.

Furthermore, the show depicts the interaction between police officers, lawyers, judges, and the FBI to achieve better results. It also illustrates the sexcapades, flirting, and romance between these government officials, as well as depicts the corrupt ones.

3. Accurate Depiction of Baltimore Politics

David Simon wasn’t afraid to portray and explore Baltimore politics in the show. The Wire frequently demonstrated the activities of the police authorities, including the commissioner, deputy commissioner, police majors, and other commanding officers, and how they pulled the strings and manipulated the Baltimore Police Department. Similarly, it revealed the political games in the Baltimore mayoral office and how the Mayors, both Clarence Royce and later Tommy Carcetti, made sure any decisions they took favored them ultimately.

4. Sumptuous Portrayal of Various Crimes

The Wire succeeds in captivating aficionados of the crime genre as it serves its viewers an “eyeful” of various crimes. The show featured drug trafficking, drug abuse, murder, smuggling, human trafficking, robbery, animal abuse, corruption, financial crimes, torture, illegal prostitution, illegal immigration, and so on.

5. Representation of Realistic Societal Elements and Issues

The Wire deserves applause for its ability to display real societal issues and events on television. The series threw light on realistic elements, such as drug addiction, the life, struggles, and activities of the urban poor, gang conflicts, HIV/AIDS, crime in Baltimore, prison life, public empowerment programs, betrayal, drug wars, family bond, marital crisis, and gun violence. More interestingly, the Hamsterdam project in season 3 of the show illustrated the consequences of legalizing drugs.

Bottom Line

Other factors that seal The Wire’s status as one of the GOATs of crime TV shows include its impressive acting, characterization, and character development. Overall, the show is one of the best things to have happened since the invention of television.

Movies

Reasons Why Top Gun: Maverick Was Better Than The Original Top Gun

February 4, 2023 Watchmantis 1 Comment

Top Gun: Maverick has seen a lot of successes as a blockbuster movie, grossing an insane amount of 1.488 billion USD, which is a figure leagues ahead of the original, Top Gun. This sets it as one of the highest grossing movies of all time and fans and critics have no way of saying less. Top Gun: Maverick follows up the tragic event that occurred in the original Top Gun, with Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell (Tom Cruise) having to face his friend Goose’s son, Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw (Miles Teller), after the latter was selected into the Elite squad of the US Navy, as a pilot to undergo a most outrageous mission. Seeing how well Top Gun: Maverick did despite being a sequel, it is most certain that the cast and crew did an amazing job to pull off such a feat and fans are surely not blinded to this.

Below are few of the things the sequel didn’t disappoint to give fans;

1. The Nostalgic Feeling It Brought

The original Top Gun movie has always been in the hearts of the fans, with a lot wanting to see how the casts would deliver a performance as good or even better than what they’d given in that movie. It however came as a surprise when a sequel was made, and also how it did well on the market, but a signature factor remains on how audiences were captured by the Nostalgic feeling which it provided. This Nostalgia was built up from scenes like when Rooster played a song which his dad and Maverick used to play a long time ago, when Maverick got to see Peggy, Rooster having to be Maverick’s backseater just like his dad did, and Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky getting to meet Maverick again.

2. The Casts Featured On The Show

The movie featured casts trying to portray characters from different generations in the movie. With actors like Tom Cruise as Maverick, Val Kilmer as Ice, Ed Harris as Cain, Jon Hamm as Cyclone, Jennifer Connnelly as Penny, and others playing the new generation of the Elite Top Gun squad with Greg Tarzan as Coyote, Danny Ramirez as Fanboy, Jay Ellis as Payback, Lewis Pullman as Bob, Monica Barbaro as Phoenix and Glen Powell as Hangman, there was a perfect blend of old generation names in the top gun and new generation names. This made for a more balanced story to be built which was sure to still keep the Original fans on lock and draw in new fans to the mix.

3. Insane Production Level

Despite the original doing alright in their production, Top Gun: Maverick was able to bring in more advanced production with the new technologies available being a huge part for this turn out. Capitalizing on what this movie sought to achieve all through, which is balance, there was a perfect blend of new technology trying to create perfect scenes like the mach 10 flight which was done by Maverick, without taking away that feeling of originality which some movies do with the overuse of CGI.

4. A More Spread Out Case Of Emotions

Both Top Gun movies had emotions that greatly enhanced the love which came from their audiences, but this was stronger in Top Gun: Maverick which has an emotional play well spread out across the movie at various strategic scenes. For instance, the build up of emotion between Maverick and Rooster that just seemed to happen without any plan in play, Maverick connecting with Penny and Ice, and Maverick thinking of Rooster as a son. The original Top Gun movie lacks in comparison with the amount of emotion that soars in Top Gun: Maverick.

Final Thoughts

With a success that trumps expectations from the sequels, Top Gun: Maverick has surely stamped its name on the hall of fame and given hope to writers who thought about sequels to their stories not being able to meet the expectations of viewers. Conveying so much attributes in story telling and performance, Top Gun: Maverick makes a stand against its original as being worthy of its gross.

TV Shows

UNMASKING WEDNESDAY- A DEEP LOOK AT THE ADDAMS FAMILY DARK DARLING

February 2, 2023 Watchmantis Leave a comment

Just a week after hitting the popular movie streaming platform, Netflix, on November 23, 2022, the Wednesday Addams movie had broken the streaming service’s record with viewers grossing billions. This feat is achieved thanks to the creativity of Charles Addams and the superb acting prowess of Jenna Ortega, who perfectly depicts the main character, Wednesday. From her gothic wardrobe to her deadpan humor, Wednesday has become a cult favorite among fans of the Addams family franchise. This article will look closely at the character and her development. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just knowing Wednesday, I hope you’ll enjoy this deep look at the Addams family dark darling. Let’s get started!

The Origin of Wednesday Addams. Wednesday Addams is a fictional character conceived by cartoonist Charles Addams for his cartoon series, The Addams Family, published in the New Yorker in 1938. The characters went without names and fixed personalities during this debut until it was adapted into TV in 1964. Wednesday was likely named after a nursery rhyme with the line: “Wednesday child is full of woes.” The series featured a macabre family, which includes Gomez as the father, a mother named Morticia, and their children, Pulsgey and Wednesday, among others.

Wednesday was known for her gothic appearance, deadpan sense of humor, and love for everything spooky. Wednesday first appeared as a child in the 1938 comics series, and as the series progressed, she grew up to become a curious and intelligent child with a love for macabre and dark humor.

The Development Of Wednesday’s Character And Personality

With the progression of Wednesday’s movie, the main character, Wednesday, was developed further. She was initially portrayed as a baby, then a child, and as the series went on, she grew up to become a teenager and a young adult. However, Wednesday’s personality remains consistent throughout the series; a girl with a love for macabre, dark humor, and intelligence.

Wednesday’s love for the macabre is evident in her love for things such as death, skulls, and other spooky things, which is reflected throughout the series. This love for the macabre is also reflected in her fashion sense, often shown wearing a black dress and pigtails, which has become the character’s signature.

Wednesday’s dark humor is also a prominent characteristic portrayed throughout the series. Her deadpan humor and sarcasm are defining features of her personality. She is often shown making dry and offbeat comments about the weird situations in which the Addams family finds themselves.

In addition to these key characteristics, Wednesday is also shown to be a curious and intelligent child who is always eager to learn and explore new things. She is fiercely independent and stands on what she believes, giving her off as a feminist icon.

Wednesday’s role in the Addams Family series

Wednesday plays a primary role in the Addams Family series, which includes comics, television shows, and movies. In the 1960s television series, Wednesday is portrayed as a young girl and is played by actress Lisa Loring. The series focused on the daily lives of the Addams family and their several misadventures. In this series, Wednesday is a curious and intelligent child and the savior of her family; she is the one that always comes up with plans to save her family from tricky situations.

Christina Ricci was the one who played Wednesday in the 1990s feature films, and here, she is portrayed as a teenager. The movie focuses on her coming-of-age and struggles to find her place in the world. In the 2014 Wednesday web series, which aired on YouTube, Melissa Hunter played Wednesday. This Wednesday is struggling with adulting and navigating life independently after leaving home. As usual, she maintains her dark and macabre personality. However, the series was flagged down by the Tee & Charles Addams Foundation, the copyright owners of the Addam Family movies, for copyright violation. This move resulted in the series being pulled down by YouTube but reinstated in 2016.

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In 2019, Wednesday was incorporated as an anime video, and actress Chloe Grace Moretz acted as the character’s voice-over. This movie centers around the eccentric and macabre Addams family, who are adjusting to a new home in a suburban neighborhood.

In the Netflix Wednesday, Wednesday was played by Jenna Ortega. She is a 16-year-old girl enrolled in a private school for monstrous outcasts, Nevermore Academy, due to being expelled from her former school after a mischievous act. Wednesday’s cold and dry personality makes it hard for her to make friends with her schoolmates and puts her at loggerheads with the school’s principal, Larissa Weems. Additionally, Wednesday is passionate about detective work and writing novels, particularly gothic mysteries. She wanted to publish some of her works, but they weren’t accepted as they were seen as far too shocking and macabre to publish.

Wednesday’s influence on fashion and culture

Either knowingly or unknowingly, Wednesday has significantly contributed to the goth culture. Her iconic style, which includes a long black dress, a white collar, and braided pigtails, has been replicated by many goth fashion enthusiasts. Additionally, her dark and macabre sense of humor has contributed to the growth of the goth culture.

Also, Lady Gaga’s song Bloody Mary benefits from the release of Wednesday. Over a decade after its release, it makes a debut on the latest Billboard Hot 100, reaching No 68. Following the release of Wednesday, the song became viral on Tiktok thanks to Wednesday’s dance to Goo Goo Muck in the video and the fans’ recreation of it with Bloody Mary as a substitute. Among the recreators are celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Marina Diamandis, Amelia Dimoldenberg, and even Lady Gaga herself.

The original music, played in the dance series Goo Goo Muck sung by the Cramps in 1981, also witnessed a surge in popularity. According to Billboard, the on-demand song streams from the United States increased from 2,500 to 134,000. Same with Spotify streaming, it increased by 9,500 percent since the song’s release.

CONCLUSION.

In conclusion, The Addams Family’s Wednesday Addams has become an iconic character in pop culture, known for her dark and spooky interest. Despite her seemingly unsettling nature, Wednesday represents the importance of individuality and embracing one’s true self. Her unique and complicated character continues to captivate the audience, making her a true darling of the Addams family.

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5 Post-Apocalyptic Movies like HBO’s The Last of Us’ That Will Keep You on the Edge of Your Seat

February 1, 2023 Watchmantis Leave a comment

Just like the games, HBO’s The Last of Us series is a true showpiece, and it appears that the franchise’s fans are utterly charmed with it. With an average of 21.3 million viewers per episode, it’s no wonder why movie fans across the world are clapping their hands and cheering.

And let’s not forget, it’s not just the first time HBO has multiple original series with over 15 million viewers, it’s also only second in line to the Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon, which was a real winner with an average of 29 million viewers.

HBO'S The Last of Us series image description

But what makes The Last of Us so special? Well, let’s just say it’s a real breath of fresh air in the zombie genre! The show offers a dynamic mix of character development and post-apocalyptic action that will leave you feeling both moved and exhilarated. And really, who doesn’t love a good guide to follow when searching for the best options in the zombie world? Let’s be real, once you’ve fallen in love with “The Last of Us”, you’ll be on the hunt for more post-apocalyptic adventures that’ll give you the same rush of excitement and emotion.

Don’t worry, I’ve got your back because I’ve scoured the vast world of zombie movies to find the top 5 hidden gems that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat.

So, grab your popcorn, sit back, relax and get ready for some ultimate post-apocalyptic movie marathon!

The Road (2009)

The Road; 5 movies like HBO's The Last of Us

The Road is an unforgettable adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that is a must-see if you love “The Last of Us”. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, with moments of beauty intertwined with unrelenting horror and darkness. With breathtaking cinematography and powerhouse performances, this film will have you holding your breath from start to finish.

The movie, featuring Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee, depicts a father and son as they make their way through a world where the environment has been devastated and where roving bands of cannibals prowl the barren landscape.

If you’re a fan of The Last of Us and its heart-wrenching drama, you won’t want to miss The Road. It’s a film that will leave a lasting impact, as the brief moments of peace in its post-apocalyptic world are always followed by harsh and complex life lessons that will stay with you for a long time.

A Quiet Place (2018)

John Krasinski’s “A Quiet Place,” a rather terrifying and heartbreaking post-apocalyptic movie, follows the journey of a family as they struggle to survive in a world overtaken by blind aliens possessing super-sensitive hearing. The lead characters, played by John Krasinski and Emily Blunt, are just like The Last of Us characters as they bravely fight to protect their loved ones in the face of this new, dangerous reality.

Well, the film’s opening scene sets the tone, as the family’s young daughter is tragically killed by one of the aliens. And throughout the film, the audience is transported to a world of ruins, where remnants of civilization lay in tatters and danger lurks around every corner.

The sequel to the film only amplifies this sense of peril and sorrow, showing the first day of the alien invasion similarly to how “The Last of Us” portrays the start of the zombie outbreak.

The Walking Dead (2010)

The Walking Dead; 5 movies like HBO's The Last of Us

The Walking Dead; released in 2010 has shuffled off this mortal coil after 11 seasons of gripping cable TV, and it looks like The Last of Us is about to take its place as the next big zombie franchise.

These two shows are all about the characters, a bunch of regular folks who are determined to survive in a world that’s crawling with the undead and other not-so-friendly humans. But it’s on a whole new level.

Just like The Last of Us, The Walking Dead is about families of choice and how people’s morals change in a post-apocalyptic world. If you’re itching for a good zombie saga, now’s the perfect time to dive into the world of The Walking Dead.

Bird box (2018)

Bird box; among 5 movies like HBO's The Last of Us

Oh yeah, let’s not forget Bird Box! Veteran actress Sandra Bullock stars as a mother of two who is trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world that’s controlled by an evil spirit in this popular Netflix thriller.

Although it doesn’t really have traditional zombies like The Last of Us, the focus on the challenges of parenthood during hard times makes it a pretty close comparison. Well, sometimes.

Like HBO’s The Last of Us, the protagonist’s physical journey mirrors their mental journey as they come to accept love for the children in their care. That sort of adds an extra layer of drama to the already high stakes of life and death. Lol. And let’s not forget the human threats that are always lurking in the shadows, making danger a very real and tangible thing. Bring on the creepiness.

The Battery (2012)

The Battery; one of 5 movies like HBO's The Last of Us

While it might sound like a big-budget blockbuster, The Battery is more in line with George A. Romero’s independent roots and focuses on character and dialogue. It’s a film that follows a former baseball player duo as they navigate the ups and downs of a good old-fashioned zombie apocalypse.

Quite the perfect movie for fans of HBO’s The last of us, The Walking Dead is just the movie for horror lovers who are looking for a movie that explores the monotony of post-apocalyptic living.

But don’t let that fool you, the naturalistic conversations in The Battery make it one of the best movies for fans of The Last of Us, too.

So there you have it guys and ladies, a list of 5 hidden gems that are sure to light up your screen if you liked “The Last of Us.” These films are intense, thought-provoking, and will keep you guessing until the very end.

So grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and get ready to be transported to a post-apocalyptic world where survival is the only thing that matters. And remember, don’t trust anyone, not even your best friend, they might be a zombie, or worse, a Gary Oldman. So, I wanna know what you think of these.